Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 15 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216 ✓ Larger
South Fulton
Georgia
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,488
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
107,865
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
36% less violent crime than South Fulton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.1 pts lower (3.7%)
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 90°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Homes cost $174k less ($242,200 vs $416,500)
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 32°F
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 3.7%)
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$1,058
$78,546 vs $77,488/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
36% lower
302.5 vs 470.5 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
4.1 pp lower
3.7% vs 7.8% unemployment
South Fulton
Median Home Value
$174k less
$242,200 vs $416,500
South Fulton
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $242,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,461⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $77,488 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 12.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 91 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 39.1% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 93.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 54.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 2.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 ✓ Larger | 107,865 |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 15 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 15 and South Fulton wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ann Arbor to South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $242,200 median home), income ($78,546 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and South Fulton, GA are about 599 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.